“Jaundice in Newborns” is a common condition in newborn babies. It causes the skin and the whites of the eyes to look yellow. Although it often looks alarming, jaundice is usually harmless and goes away on its own or with simple treatment. In some cases, though, it can become more serious and needs medical care.
This guide explains what jaundice is, why it happens, how it is diagnosed and treated, and what parents should know to keep their baby safe. The information here is based on trusted health organizations and medical guidelines, including American Academy of Pediatrics and World Health Organization.
What is jaundice?
Jaundice is a yellow discoloration of a baby’s skin and eyes. It happens when there is too much bilirubin in the blood. Bilirubin is a yellow substance made when red blood cells break down.
While in the womb, the mother’s body removes bilirubin for the baby. After birth, the baby’s liver takes over this job. Because a newborn’s liver is still developing, it may not clear bilirubin quickly enough. This causes bilirubin levels to rise for a short time, leading to jaundice.
Jaundice is most common between the second and fifth day after birth and usually improves within two weeks.
Why newborns often get jaundice
Jaundice is much more common in newborns than in older children or adults. This happens for three main reasons:
- More red blood cells: Babies are born with extra red blood cells that break down quickly after birth.
- Immature liver: The newborn liver is still developing and may not remove bilirubin fast enough.
- Reabsorption in the intestines: Bilirubin can be reabsorbed into the bloodstream from the baby’s intestines if the bowels do not move often enough in the first days.
This normal pattern is called physiological jaundice. It is the most common type and usually resolves without any special treatment.
How common is jaundice in newborns?
Jaundice is one of the most common conditions in newborns.
- About 6 in 10 full-term babies develop jaundice in the first week of life.
- About 8 in 10 premature babies develop jaundice.
- Most cases are mild and do not need treatment beyond regular feeding and observation.
- A smaller number of babies have higher bilirubin levels that need treatment to prevent complications.
With proper monitoring and care, serious problems from jaundice are very rare.
What causes bilirubin to rise too much?
While most jaundice is normal, some babies have higher levels of bilirubin due to other factors.
1. Suboptimal intake jaundice
This happens when babies do not get enough milk in the first days. Less milk means fewer bowel movements, so bilirubin is not removed efficiently. Feeding at least 8 times a day helps prevent this.
2. Breast milk jaundice
Some breastfed babies develop prolonged jaundice that can last for several weeks, even when they are feeding and growing well. This is usually harmless.
3. Birth bruising or bleeding under the scalp
If a baby has bruises or swelling on the head from delivery, extra red blood cells break down and bilirubin levels can rise.
4. Blood type incompatibility
If the baby’s blood type and the mother’s blood type do not match, the baby’s red blood cells may break down more quickly. Conditions such as Rh disease and ABO incompatibility fall into this group.
5. G6PD deficiency and other inherited conditions
Some babies inherit conditions that make red blood cells break down more easily. One example is G6PD deficiency.
6. Infections or illness
In rare cases, infections or other health problems can raise bilirubin and make jaundice more severe.
7. Liver or bile flow problems
A less common but more serious form of jaundice happens when there is a problem with the liver or bile ducts. This is called conjugated jaundice. It can be a sign of conditions that need urgent evaluation.
Signs of jaundice in newborns to look for
Jaundice usually starts on the face and spreads to the chest, belly, arms, and legs as bilirubin levels increase.
Common signs include
- Yellow skin or eyes
- Yellow color that deepens over several days
- Sleepiness or difficulty waking the baby
- Poor feeding or fewer wet diapers
- A baby who seems unusually fussy or weak
It can be harder to notice jaundice on babies with darker skin tones. Checking the whites of the eyes, gums, and the palms or soles of the feet can help.
If you notice jaundice in the first 24 hours after birth, or if the baby seems unwell at any time, seek medical attention right away.
How Jaundice in Newborns is diagnosed
Doctors and nurses often check for jaundice before a baby leaves the hospital and during follow-up visits.
Testing methods include:
- Visual check: Health care providers examine the baby’s skin and eyes for yellowing.
- Bilirubin measurement
- Transcutaneous bilirubinometer: A small device placed on the skin gives a quick estimate.
- Blood test: If the level is high or rising, a blood test confirms the exact bilirubin level.
- Additional tests: If bilirubin is higher than expected, the doctor may order extra tests to check for blood type incompatibility, G6PD deficiency, or other conditions.
Monitoring is guided by clear medical charts that take into account the baby’s age in hours, weight, and other risk factors.
When jaundice in Newborns is considered serious
While most cases are mild, doctors carefully watch bilirubin levels to make sure they do not rise too high.
Serious jaundice can cause complications, including a rare but dangerous condition called kernicterus. This happens when very high levels of bilirubin damage parts of the brain. It can cause hearing loss, movement problems, or developmental delays.
Risk is highest if:
- Jaundice starts within the first 24 hours
- The baby is premature
- The baby has other health problems
- Bilirubin levels are rising quickly
With modern care and early treatment, kernicterus is very rare.
Treatment options for jaundice in newborns
Treatment depends on how high the bilirubin level is and the baby’s age in hours.
1. Frequent feeding
For mild jaundice, frequent feeding is the most important treatment. Feeding at least 8 to 12 times a day helps the baby pass stools and clear bilirubin.
2. Phototherapy
If bilirubin levels are higher, the baby may need phototherapy. This involves placing the baby under a special blue light that changes bilirubin into a form that can be removed through urine and stool. The baby wears only a diaper and eye protection during treatment.
Phototherapy is safe and very effective. It may be done in the hospital or at home under medical supervision.
3. Intravenous fluids
If the baby is dehydrated, IV fluids may be given to support bilirubin removal.
4. Exchange transfusion
In rare cases of extremely high bilirubin, doctors may perform an exchange transfusion. This replaces the baby’s blood with donor blood in small amounts to rapidly lower bilirubin levels. This is usually only needed in severe hemolytic disease.
5. Treating underlying causes
If jaundice is caused by an infection, blood type incompatibility, or another medical problem, that condition is treated as well.
Home care and monitoring
Parents play an important role in helping their baby recover from jaundice.
Helpful steps include:
- Feed the baby often, at least every 2 to 3 hours
- Keep follow-up appointments for bilirubin checks
- Watch for changes in the baby’s color, behavior, or feeding
- Make sure the baby is alert and has enough wet diapers (at least 6 per day after the first few days)
- Call the doctor right away if the baby becomes more yellow, very sleepy, or stops feeding well
Preventing complications
Jaundice is common, but complications are preventable with proper care. Key steps include:
- Early and frequent feeding to keep bilirubin levels lower
- Bilirubin screening before the baby leaves the hospital
- Follow-up checks within 3 to 5 days of birth
- Prompt treatment if bilirubin levels are high
- Monitoring at home by parents and caregivers
Many hospitals now use standard protocols to identify and treat jaundice early. This has greatly reduced the risk of severe complications.
Special considerations for premature babies
Premature babies are more likely to have jaundice and may develop higher bilirubin levels. Their livers are less mature, and they may feed less effectively.
Because of this, they need closer monitoring and often receive treatment at lower bilirubin levels than full-term babies. Neonatal intensive care units are well equipped to handle jaundice in premature infants.
Long-term outlook
For most babies, jaundice goes away completely with no lasting effects. Once bilirubin levels return to normal, the yellow color fades. Babies with breast milk jaundice may stay a little yellow for several weeks but continue to grow and develop normally.
If jaundice is treated early and correctly, the long-term outlook is excellent.
When to call the doctor
Call your doctor or go to the emergency room if:
- Your baby looks yellow in the first 24 hours after birth
- The yellow color spreads quickly or gets darker
- The baby is very sleepy or hard to wake
- The baby is not feeding well or has fewer wet diapers
- The baby’s arms or legs appear stiff or floppy
- The baby seems sick in any way
Timely care makes a big difference in preventing problems.
Frequently asked questions about newborn jaundice
Is jaundice contagious?
No. Jaundice is not an infection. It happens because of bilirubin buildup in the baby’s body.
Can sunlight help?
Indirect sunlight may help slightly, but it is not a substitute for medical phototherapy when bilirubin is high. Never place a baby in direct sunlight for long periods.
Can jaundice come back after treatment?
Sometimes bilirubin levels can rise again after phototherapy, so follow-up checks are important.
Does jaundice mean my baby has liver disease?
Most newborn jaundice is normal and does not mean there is liver disease. If bilirubin remains high for more than two weeks or if direct bilirubin is elevated, doctors check for liver problems.
Conclusion
Jaundice in newborns is common and usually harmless when monitored closely. Most babies recover fully with regular feeding and, if needed, short-term treatment with phototherapy.
The most important things parents can do are to feed the baby often, watch for changes, and keep medical follow-up appointments. When bilirubin levels are managed properly, serious complications are rare.
